The community of Taylorville will gather on Sunday, Jan. 5, to honor Sister Rose McKeown, ASC, and the lasting legacy of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, who have served the area for 118 years. A retirement reception for Sister Rose, the lead staff chaplain at Taylorville Memorial Hospital, will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. at The Pillars Event Center, located at 303 E. Market St.

Sister Rose’s departure marks the end of an era, as she is the last representative of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ in Taylorville. The Catholic order founded St. Vincent Hospital in 1906, setting the foundation for what would eventually become Taylorville Memorial Hospital. The hospital was affiliated with Memorial Health in 1995, and by 2006, Memorial Health became its sole sponsor. Despite these transitions, the Sisters' mission of caring for the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—remains deeply rooted in the hospital's culture.

“We encourage people to come celebrate this legacy of compassion and care,” said Kim Bourne, president and CEO of Taylorville Memorial Hospital. “The Sisters have touched so many lives. Sister Rose supports everyone from all walks of faith, and she is always very interested in how people are doing both inside and outside the hospital walls.”

For Sister Rose, who has served in Taylorville for more than a decade, the hospital’s close-knit environment has been one of its greatest strengths. “God has provided, does provide, and always will provide,” she said, referencing a prayer by Sister Pauline Schneeberger, another member of her order. “We remain grateful that Memorial Health has always appreciated and respected the legacy of the Sisters.”

Sister Rose’s contributions extend beyond the hospital walls. Her community outreach includes officiating funerals, leading grief support groups, and assisting people on their grief journeys. She has also played a vital role in hospice care, where her compassionate approach has left a lasting impression.

Sister Rose will soon return to Columbia, Pennsylvania, where she will serve as a spiritual presence for her fellow sisters at St. Anne’s Retirement Community. 

The Jan. 5 reception will offer the community a chance to say goodbye to Sister Rose and celebrate the enduring impact of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, whose dedication has shaped healthcare and spiritual care in Taylorville for generations.